Chapter 12 Projects

PROJECT 12-1: Preparing for Windows Vista

Use the Microsoft Web site www.microsoft.com/windows/compatibility to research whether
a home or lab PC that does not have Windows Vista installed qualifies for Vista. Fill in the
following table and print the Web pages showing whether each hardware device and application
installed on the PC qualify for Vista.

PROJECT 12-2: Preparing for an Upgrade

On a PC with Windows XP or an earlier version of Windows installed, access the Microsoft
Web site (www.microsoft.com) and locate and run the Vista Upgrade Advisor to find out if
the PC is ready for a Windows Vista installation. Make a list of any hardware or software
components found incompatible with Vista, and draw up a plan for getting the system ready
for a Vista upgrade.

The thing about this project is that most machines now a days come with Windows 7 already installed. If you are looking for a machine with Windows XP or an earlier version of Windows. That is pretty scarce because most machines now a days are going to be compatible for Windows Vista. If I rebooted a machine right now with Windows XP and I ran Windows Vista Upgrade Advisor. The machine would be ready most likely for Windows Vista. Now if there are any hardware problems then a replacement would be needed for that particular hardware. If there are any incompatible software components that would need to be replaced for Windows Vista. Then you would just need to obtain a DISC that would give you the system components required for the upgrade to Windows Vista.

PROJECT 12-3: Updating Windows

On a Windows Vista or XP system connected to the Internet, click Start, All Programs,
and Windows Update. Click Check for updates. This takes you to the Microsoft Web site,
which searches your system and recommends Windows updates. Print the Web page
showing a list of recommended updates. For a lab PC, don’t perform the updates unless
you have your instructor’s permission.

PROJECT 12-4: Install and Run Microsoft Virtual PC

Go to the Microsoft Web site (www. microsoft.com) and download Virtual PC. Install
Virtual PC on your computer. Use it to install either Windows XP or Vista. You do not have
to activate the OS and you will have 30 days to use it before it will not work. You can use
the installation in the next 30 days as you work through the projects using Windows XP or
Vista in the next few chapters of this book.

 PROJECT 12-5: Installing Windows Components

Using Windows XP, log on with Administrator privileges and install a Windows component.
What component did you install? List the steps you used to install the component.

1. Click the start button
2. Click Control Panel
3. Click Add or Remove Programs
4. Click Add or Remove Windows Components
5. Click the Windows Component you want to add or remove
6. I added a Fax Service and went ahead installed it

PROJECT 12-6: Using the Internet for Problem Solving
Access the support.microsoft.com Web site for Windows Vista or XP support. Print one
article from the Knowledge Base that addresses a problem when installing Windows
Vista or XP.

PROJECT 12-7:Installing Windows Vista or XP

Prepare your hard drive for a clean installation of Windows Vista or XP by formatting the
hard drive. Follow the instructions in the chapter to install Windows Vista or XP. Write
down each decision you had to make as you performed the installation. If you get any error
messages during the installation, write them down and list the steps you took to recover
from the error. How long did the installation take?

30 Minutes

ROBOCOPY and LOG

Write a small batch script that will copy all files from one directory to another new directory (which you create) and also "log" the files copied to a file named "mycopiedfiles.log". (Hint:Robocopy).  Please document what you did on your blog and paste a link in the answer portion of this question.  In the blog give a narrative of the problems you encountered.

 "robocopy C:\Directory\Test D:\Backup /MIR /LOG:C:\Users\Joe\Desktop\mycopiedfiles.log"

First I created a folder named "Directory" in the C drive and another folder inside the "Directory" folder and I named it "Test". Inside the "Test" folder I made three different files named Example 1, Example 2, and Example 3. I then made a folder named "Backup" inside my D drive. I entered the robocopy and LOG script inside the command Prompt. Which turned out like this inside the prompt "robocopy C:\Directory\Test D:\Backup /MIR /LOG:C:\Users\Joe\Desktop\mycopiedfiles.log". I was able to copy the three example files from my "Test" folder and move the three example files to the "Backup" folder from two different drives. Then I was able to log the action made in command prompt in a text file on my desktop. The only issues I had was making sure the script was right and every path was correct. So I just messed around with the Command Prompt until everything worked out.